General
Various Types Of Braids
By Marquetta Breslin
May 6, 2006 - 5:16:00 PM

Your hairstyle reflects your personality to a great extent. Different types of hairstyles can personify different types of attitudes. One of the most popular hairstyles is braiding. Braiding is a subtle way to style your hair and is especially suitable for women with beautiful, long hair. A basic braid is one which is just an intertwining of three separate strands of hair, clasped towards the end of the hairline with a hair band.

Braiding hair is an age-old art that can be traced back to ancient Egypt. In Africa, it's a tradition that's been handed down from generation to generation. Braiding begins by first dividing the hair into different sections, each of which can be styled in such a way that it enhances a woman's face and facial features. Braiding generally starts from the forehead or at the crown of a person's head. The individual braids can be curved, woven in a zigzag fashion, or made into diamond-like or star–like shapes; based on the look that most suits the face.

One of the most common African braids types is the Country Plait. This kind of braiding is done by dividing hair into sections and then braiding each section separately. These braids are done close to the scalp, giving the hair a neat and sleek look. Another braid type is the Cornrow, which is a slight variation of the Country Plait. Then there is the simplistic single braid where you take a small section of the hair very close to the scalp and braid it until you reach the end. All of these braided hairstyles can be done in a variety of widths, so if you choose to take a thinner width, you will require more braids and of course, more time. If your hair is short and you want to go for a long hair look, you can add extensions to the existing hair. You can also add beads while braiding to give your hairdo a colorful look. Lately, the fashion is to try out micro braids or invisible braids. Wigs done with micro braids are also available.

In addition to the above mentioned braid styles, you could also experiment with the African or Zulu knot where hair from each section is twisted and tied into a knot. Looking beyond traditional African hairstyles, you can try the well-known French and Rope braids, which are suitable for any occasion. Otherwise, you might wish to go for a multi-braided style which can give you a special look for an important event.

There are many professionally maintained parlors and salons where you can get your braiding done flawlessly. These professionals can also help you maintain your hairdo by giving you tips and advice on braid care and maintenance.


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